repose

1 of 3

noun

1

a

: a state of resting after exertion or strain

especially : rest in sleep

b

: eternal or heavenly rest

pray for the repose of a soul

2

a

: a place of rest

b

: peace, tranquility

the repose of the bayous

c

: a harmony in the arrangement of parts and colors that is restful to the eye

3

a

: lack of activity : quiescence

b

: cessation or absence of activity, movement, or animation

the face in repose is grave and thoughtful

4

: composure of manner : poise

repose

2 of 3

verb (1)

re·​pose ri-ˈpōz 

reposed; reposing

transitive verb

: to lay at rest

intransitive verb

1

a

: to lie at rest

b

: to lie dead

reposing in state

c

: to remain still or concealed

2

: to take a rest

3

: to rest for support : lie

4

archaic : rely

repose

3 of 3

verb (2)

re·​pose

reposed; reposing

transitive verb

1

a

: to place (confidence, trust, etc.) in someone or something

b

: to place for control, management, or use

2

archaic : to put away or set down : deposit

Synonyms

Noun

• bed
• catnapping
• dozing
• napping
• rest
• resting
• shut-eye
• sleep
• slumber
• slumbering
• snoozing
• z's
• zs

Verb (1)

• hide
• hole up
• lie
• lurk
• skulk

Verb (2)

• commend
• commit
• confide
• consign
• delegate
• deliver
• entrust
• intrust
• give
• give over
• hand
• hand over
• leave
• pass
• recommend
• transfer
• transmit
• trust
• turn over
• vest

Examples of repose in a Sentence

Noun

typically the wealthy socialite spends most of the morning in repose, is served lunch, and then embarks on an exhaustive afternoon of shopping

enjoyed the repose of a serene summer evening

a little-explored region beneath which vast mineral reserves are said to repose

reposed in the Caribbean sun, enjoying her break from the world of work

Verb (2)

the Constitution reposes the power to declare war to Congress, and to that body alone

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

First of nine Masses Monday’s Mass was the first of the traditional nine Masses offered for the repose of his soul, according to a statement released by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 2025

What a perfect description of a hotel that works hard to make your repose as graceful as possible. —Chloe Malle, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2025

Verb

The artist, whose portraits explore leisure and repose, has suddenly found success in the notoriously fickle gallery world. —M.h. Miller, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024

In a sense, almost all of Manet’s and Degas’s best work is about repose, the glorious right of the nineteenth-century French bourgeoisie and the seed from which a thousand entertainments sprouted: gardens, promenades, dances, horse races, picnics, prostitutes, bars. —Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French reposer, from Late Latin repausare, from Latin re- + Late Latin pausare to stop, from Latin pausa pause

Verb (2)

Middle English, to replace, from Latin reponere (perfect indicative reposui)

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing repose

• altar of repose
• in repose

Rhymes for repose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

repose

1 of 3 verb

re·​pose ri-ˈpōz 

reposed; reposing

1

: to lay at rest

reposed her head on a cushion

2

: to lie at rest

reposing on the couch

repose

2 of 3 noun

1

: a state of resting after effort or strain

especially : rest in sleep

2

: freedom from disturbance or excitement : calm

the repose of the forest

3

: absence or stopping of activity or movement

a face in repose

repose

3 of 3 verb

re·​pose

reposed; reposing

1

: to place (as trust or confidence) in someone or something

2

: to place for control, management, or use

Etymology

Verb

Middle English reposen "to lay at rest," from early French reposer (same meaning), from Latin repausare (same meaning), from earlier re- "back, again" and pausare "to stop," from Latin pausa "a pause" — related to pause

Verb

Middle English reposen "to replace," from Latin reponere "replace"